{"product_id":"besobela-coarse-ethiopia","title":"Besobela, Coarse (Ethiopia)","description":"\u003cp\u003eBesobela is a unique herb associated with the injera\/wat cuisine, which evolved in the highlands and mid-highlands of hinterland Ethiopia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main purpose of this holy basil is to add flavor in the preparation of berbere, shiro, and clarified butter (clarified\/infused cooking butter for wat\/alicha is different from the Gurage\/kitfo version - an important detail that's often overlooked). It's also added to white shiro and alicha during the last minute of cooking as a finishing herb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis fragrant, purple-flowered basil grows wild and cultivated in Ethiopia where it is harvested by hand, sun-dried, and pulverized for cooking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThank you to Menkir Tamrat for providing some of this description.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHayat Ali of Salam Cafe in Philadelphia prefers this variety and says this besobela has a stronger flavor that lasts longer. Our seeds come from Menkir Tamrat, an Ethiopian tech-worker turned farmer who introduced these seeds and other Ethiopian varieties to Fred Hempel, who runs Artisan Seeds in Sunol, CA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to maturity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 60-70\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeeds per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100-115\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 93% on 01\/26\/2026\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \/ harvesting notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSow seeds on the surface of moist potting soil and keep it evenly moist and in the sunlight until germination. Start indoors, and later transplant in full sun 10-12 inches apart. Continually harvest - this plant is a vigorous grower in warmer months.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSeed keeping notes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAllow seedheads to dry on the plant. Cut the stalks below the lowest seed clusters. If necessary, dry the seedheads further in the sun on a sheet or table away from moisture and precipitation. When fully dry, whack the seedheads in a bucket, allowing the ripest seed to fall. Sift through strainers to remove the largest chaff, and then winnow off the lighter chaff with your breath, a fan, or the wind.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Truelove Seeds Farm","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44203401969902,"sku":"HERB-078","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2406\/3467\/files\/WhatsApp_Image_2024-08-13_at_12.45.29_PM_1.jpg?v=1723582643","url":"https:\/\/trueloveseeds.sbs\/products\/besobela-coarse-ethiopia","provider":"Truelove Seeds","version":"1.0","type":"link"}